Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes
Median Reading, PA effective property tax rate: 4.37%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.81%.
Median Reading, PA home value: $83,700
Median annual Reading, PA tax bill: $3,762, $1,362 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Berks calculated?
Property taxes in Reading, PA are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Reading’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Reading, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
4.37%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,658
$3,394
Property Tax Rates Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Local government entities determine tax rates, leading to significant variations within a state. Each county, including Berks County, estimates its required budget to provide essential services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in setting tax rates and budgets, this is the core of the annual process.
Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania, has an effective property tax rate significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. The median property tax rate in Berks County stands at 4.37%, which is notably above the state median. Within Berks County, the highest median tax rate is found in the 19606 zip code at 4.59%, while the lowest is in the 19609 zip code at 4.08%. This stark contrast highlights the variability even within a single county. Comparing Reading’s property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the U.S. underscores the importance of understanding local tax dynamics.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Reading Tax Rate
4.37%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Berks County Tax Rate
4.37%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% |
| 19602 | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% |
| 19604 | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% |
| 19605 | 3.97% | 4.52% | 4.52% | 4.52% | 4.67% |
| 19606 | 4.37% | 4.59% | 4.59% | 5.00% | 6.28% |
| 19607 | 4.31% | 4.44% | 4.47% | 4.47% | 4.47% |
| 19608 | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.46% | 4.51% |
| 19609 | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.45% |
| 19610 | 4.08% | 4.08% | 4.45% | 4.45% | 4.45% |
| 19611 | 3.67% | 3.67% | 4.37% | 4.37% | 4.37% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Reading, PA, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Berks County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
In Berks County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Reading. For example, the median home price in Reading is $83,700, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 19610 has the highest median home price at $139,800.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$21,200
$104,950
$188,700
Median Reading Market Value
$83,700
Median Berks County Market Value
$97,000
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$114,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | $18,100 | $24,100 | $35,800 | $47,600 | $74,800 |
| 19602 | $16,700 | $21,500 | $27,800 | $36,000 | $48,400 |
| 19604 | $26,100 | $31,600 | $39,000 | $48,700 | $80,600 |
| 19605 | $59,200 | $72,300 | $95,700 | $125,100 | $162,600 |
| 19606 | $46,120 | $68,000 | $95,000 | $127,400 | $173,700 |
| 19607 | $61,100 | $71,700 | $89,600 | $114,550 | $163,970 |
| 19608 | $80,800 | $99,400 | $139,400 | $189,200 | $260,180 |
| 19609 | $67,350 | $77,400 | $91,450 | $111,300 | $128,250 |
| 19610 | $78,160 | $100,650 | $139,800 | $187,050 | $256,920 |
| 19611 | $47,800 | $58,600 | $67,700 | $82,500 | $104,800 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
Median Reading Tax Bill
$3,762
Median Berks County Tax Bill
$4,153
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,063
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19601 | $791 | $1,054 | $1,565 | $2,077 | $3,090 |
| 19602 | $730 | $940 | $1,215 | $1,574 | $2,112 |
| 19604 | $1,141 | $1,381 | $1,705 | $2,129 | $3,524 |
| 19605 | $2,662 | $3,287 | $4,296 | $5,565 | $7,117 |
| 19606 | $2,181 | $3,546 | $4,697 | $6,220 | $8,095 |
| 19607 | $2,688 | $3,169 | $3,971 | $5,089 | $7,300 |
| 19608 | $3,388 | $4,195 | $5,858 | $8,008 | $10,869 |
| 19609 | $2,748 | $3,164 | $3,763 | $4,580 | $5,292 |
| 19610 | $3,477 | $4,354 | $5,872 | $8,088 | $11,306 |
| 19611 | $1,998 | $2,344 | $2,767 | $3,368 | $4,333 |
Source: Ownwell